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RV6A to RV6?

Laraaisaac

Laraaisaac

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Hello,

Sorry If it has been posted before but I couldn’t pull up any useful information besides some plans from vans.. anyone here ever converted a nosewheel RV6 to tailwheel? If so, how big of a project it is?

Thanks!
 
This comes up quite often, and I tried to find some of the previous threads on it to no avail.

IIRC the prevailing thought is that it's a lot of work on finished plane because the main gear and motor mounts are significantly different. Changing your mind during build is less of an issue.

Someone with better google-fu will be able to give plenty of prior discussion.
 
The real bear from what I can see, would be to install the tailspring mount inside the aft fuselage. Get out the plans and go look where that part goes.
The main gear is easier as the -6 main gear is part of the engine mount.
 
blaplante said:
The real bear from what I can see, would be to install the tailspring mount inside the aft fuselage. Get out the plans and go look where that part goes.
The main gear is easier as the -6 main gear is part of the engine mount.
Click to expand...
IMHO, that is correct. The aft two bulkhead assemblies are different in the RV-6 than they are in the RV-6A. I do not see a way to add the necessary reinforcement without replacing the aft two bulkhead assemblies.

A lot of work. More work than I want to do.

New engine mount and landing gear. Will the engine mount to firewall bolt holes match? Will the four steel weldments in the fuselage need replaced because the engine mount to firewall bolt holes do not match?

Removing the -6A steel landing gear mounts inside the fuselage that bolts to the spar will also be a real pain.

The extra aluminum reinforcements used in the -6A can be abandoned in place only adding extra weight to the converted airframe.

IF you are unable to look at the drawings to figure out what is needed, you most likely will not be able to do the work to convert.
 
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